TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The National Communications Commission has no commissioners serving for the first time since its establishment in 2006, CNA reported Friday.
UDN reported that the terms of its three remaining commissioners ended Friday. The legislature has not begun reviewing the Cabinet’s latest list of seven nominees.
The commission said it cannot hold formal meetings or advisory meetings without any commissioners. Formal meetings are required to approve major decisions and cases set out by law.
As a result, about 748 cases must remain pending. They include broadcast license renewals, changes to company boards and operating plans, broadcast content cases, and major communications policies.
The Cabinet announced its latest nominees on July 24 after the legislature rejected two previous lists. Lawyer Yuan Hsiu-hui (袁秀慧) was nominated as chair, while National Sun Yat-sen University Professor Hsiao Ping (蕭蘋) was nominated as deputy chair.
The commission has asked the Cabinet for instructions on how to operate during the vacancy. Before the final commissioners’ terms ended, internal departments and advisory meetings could handle some routine matters.
Advisory meetings processed 27,589 cases between Dec. 1, 2024, and Friday. However, cases requiring approval at a formal commission meeting must now remain on hold.
Several television and radio licenses are due to expire while the commission has no members. The commission has asked cable television operators to continue carrying affected channels temporarily to protect the interests of viewers.
The vacancy is not expected to delay approval of new mobile phones, Wi-Fi devices, or Bluetooth equipment. Fourteen authorized testing organizations handle those reviews without requiring approval from commissioners.
